Cancelled flight? You may be owed up to €600.
Under EU261 and UK261, a cancelled flight can entitle you to fixed compensation on top of a refund or a replacement flight — but the notice you were given and the reason both matter. Check your flight and we'll assess it.
Checked by the FlightCompensations editorial team
Last updated 1 July 2026 · Editorial & corrections policy
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Key takeaways
- A cancellation gives you a choice between a full refund and rerouting, regardless of the reason.
- Separate compensation of €250–€600 may also be due, based on distance and how much notice you had.
- If you were told 14 or more days before departure, compensation is generally not payable.
- With less than 14 days' notice, compensation can still be reduced or removed if the airline offered a close-enough replacement flight.
- 'Extraordinary circumstances' the airline could not avoid can remove the compensation right — but the airline must prove them.
- You are also entitled to care (meals, refreshments and, where needed, accommodation) while you wait.
What qualifies — and what usually doesn't
May qualify for compensation
- The flight departed the EU/EEA or UK, or arrived there on an EU/EEA or UK airline.
- You had a confirmed booking on the cancelled flight.
- The airline cancelled the flight (rather than it merely being delayed).
- You were given less than 14 days' notice of the cancellation.
- The cause was within the airline's control (e.g. staffing, technical faults, commercial decisions).
Usually excluded
- You were informed of the cancellation at least 14 days before the scheduled departure.
- You were rerouted on an alternative flight within the regulation's timing thresholds for the notice given.
- The cancellation was caused by genuinely extraordinary circumstances the airline could not have avoided.
- The flight had no qualifying EU/EEA/UK connection under these regulations.
Rights by jurisdiction
EU Regulation 261/2004 covers flights departing any EU/EEA airport (any airline) and flights arriving in the EU/EEA on an EU/EEA carrier.
For a cancellation, Article 5 gives you the right to reimbursement or rerouting under Article 8 and care under Article 9. Fixed compensation under Article 7 (€250–€600) may also apply unless you were notified 14+ days ahead, were rerouted within the stated time limits, or the airline proves extraordinary circumstances.
The rerouting timing thresholds depend on the notice: broadly, with 7–14 days' notice a replacement must depart no more than 2 hours early and arrive under 4 hours late; with under 7 days' notice, depart under 1 hour early and arrive under 2 hours late.
Compensation amounts
EU261 / UK261 cancellation compensation by flight distance
| Flight | Amount |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | €250 |
| 1,500–3,500 km (and all intra-EU over 1,500 km) | €400 |
| Over 3,500 km | €600 |
Where a replacement flight was offered, the amount may be reduced by 50% if the delay to arrival stayed within the limits in Article 7(2). Amounts are per passenger and illustrative until eligibility is verified.
What to do
- 1Note when you were told about the cancellation and how much notice that gave you.
- 2Decide and record whether you want a refund or rerouting, and tell the airline.
- 3Ask the airline, in writing, for the reason for the cancellation.
- 4Keep receipts for meals, refreshments and any accommodation while you waited.
- 5Keep your booking confirmation and any cancellation notice, then check your eligibility.
Documents to keep
How to claim
- 1Enter your flight number and date to get a preliminary assessment.
- 2Add the notice you were given, the remedy you chose, and any documents you have.
- 3We prepare and submit the claim to the airline and follow up.
- 4If compensation is recovered, you receive the airline's award and pay our fixed €39 fee.
Frequently asked questions
My flight was cancelled — am I automatically owed €600?
No. A cancellation always gives you a refund-or-rerouting choice, but the fixed compensation depends on distance, how much notice you had, and the reason. If you were told 14+ days ahead, or offered a close-enough replacement, or the airline proves extraordinary circumstances, compensation may not be due.
The airline gave me a voucher instead of a refund — do I have to accept it?
No. You are entitled to a refund in the original form of payment. You can accept a voucher if you prefer, but you cannot be forced to, and accepting one is your choice, not a substitute for your cash refund right.
How quickly should my refund be paid?
Under EU261 and UK261 a refund is due within 7 days of your request. In practice it can take longer, and you may need to chase the airline.
Does bad weather or a strike remove my compensation?
It can. Severe weather, air-traffic-control restrictions and some strikes may count as extraordinary circumstances that remove the compensation right — but the airline must prove the specific circumstance made the cancellation unavoidable. Your refund, rerouting and care rights can still apply.
What if the airline rebooked me on a later flight?
If the replacement kept you within the regulation's timing thresholds for the notice you were given, compensation may be reduced or not payable. If it left you significantly later, a claim may still stand.
Check if your flight qualifies
Free in about 15 seconds. You receive the airline's compensation and pay only our fixed €39 fee after success.
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